Cationic versus neutral Ru(II)--N-heterocyclic carbene complexes as latent precatalysts for the UV-induced ring-opening metathesis polymerization

A series of cationic and neutral Ru^II complexes of the general formula [Ru(L)(X) (tBuCN)₄]⁺X^? and [Ru(L)(X)₂(tBuCN)₃)], that is, [Ru(CF₃SO₃){NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMesH₂)]⁺[CF₃SO₃]^? ( 1 ), [Ru(CF₃SO₃){NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMes)]⁺[CF₃SO₃]^? ( 2 ), [RuCl{NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMes)]⁺Cl^? ( 3 ), [RuCl{NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMesH₂)⁺Cl^?]/[RuCl₂{NCC(CH₃)₃}₃(IMesH₂)] ( 4 ), and [Ru(NCO)₂{NCC(CH₃)₃}₃(IMesH₂)] ( 5 ) (IMes=1,3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, IMesH₂=1,3‐dimesityl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) have been synthesized and used as UV‐triggered precatalysts for the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of different norborn‐2‐ene‐ and cis‐cyclooctene‐based monomers. The absorption maxima of complexes 1 – 5 were in the range of 245–255 nm and thus perfectly fit the emission band of the 254 nm UV source that was used for activation. Only the cationic Ru^II‐complexes based on ligands capable of forming μ²‐complexes such as 1 and 2 were found to be truly photolatent in ROMP. In contrast, complexes 3 – 5 could be activated by UV light; however, they also showed a low but significant ROMP activity in the absence of UV light. As evidenced by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, the structure of the polymers obtained with either 1 or 2 are similar to those found in the corresponding polymers prepared by the action of [Ru(CF₃SO₃)₂(IMesH₂)(CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)], which strongly suggest the formation of Ru‐based Grubbs‐type initiators in the course of the UV‐based activation process. Precatalysts that have the IMesH₂ ligand showed significantly enhanced reactivity as compared with those based on the IMes ligand, which is in accordance with reports on the superior reactivity of IMesH₂‐based Grubbs‐type catalysts compared with IMes‐based systems.     

Dual catalytic performance of arene-ruthenium amine complexes for norbornene ring-opening metathesis and methyl methacrylate atom-transfer radical polymerizations

Arene ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the cyclic amines RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(pyrrolidine)] ( 1 ), [RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(piperidine)] ( 2 ), and [RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)(peridroazepine)] ( 3 ) were successfully synthesized. Complexes 1 – 3 were fully characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry, computational methods, and one of the complexes was further studied by single crystal X-ray crystallography. These compounds were evaluated as catalytic precursors for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene (NBE) and atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). NBE polymerization via ROMP was evaluated using complexes 1 – 3 as precatalysts in the presence of ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) under different [NBE]/[EDA]/[Ru] ratios, temperatures (25 and 50°C), and reaction times (5–60 min). The highest yields of polyNBE were obtained with [NBE]/[EDA]/[Ru] = 5000/28/1 for 60 min at 50°C. MMA polymerization via ATRP was conducted using 1 – 3 as catalysts in the presence of ethyl-α-bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as initiator. The catalytic tests were evaluated as a function of the reaction time using the initial molar ratio of [MMA]/[EBiB]/[Ru] = 1000/2/1 at 95°C. The increase in molecular weight as function of time indicates that complexes 1–3 were able to mediate the MMA polymerization with an acceptable rate and some level of control. Differences in the rate of polymerization were observed in the order 3 > 2 > 1 for the ROMP and ATRP.     

Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization of 2,5‐dialkyl‐1,4‐divinylbenzene with molybdenum or ruthenium catalysts: Factors affecting the precise synthesis of defect‐free,high‐molecular‐weight trans‐poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)s

Factors affecting the syntheses of high‐molecular‐weight poly(2,5‐dialkyl‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene) by the acyclic diene metathesis polymerization of 2,5‐dialkyl‐1,4‐divinylbenzenes [alkyl = n‐octyl ( 2 ) and 2‐ethylhexyl ( 3 )] with a molybdenum or ruthenium catalyst were explored. The polymerizations of 2 by Mo(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃) (CHMe₂ Ph)[OCMe(CF₃)₂]₂ at 25 °C was completed with both a high initial monomer concentration and reduced pressure, affording poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)s with low polydispersity index values (number‐average molecular weight = 3.3–3.65 × 10³ by gel permeation chromatography vs polystyrene standards, weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight = 1.1–1.2), but the polymerization of 3 was not completed under the same conditions. The synthesis of structurally regular (all‐trans), defect‐free, high‐molecular‐weight 2‐ethylhexyl substituted poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)s [poly 3 ; degree of monomer repeating unit (DP_n) = ca. 16–70 by ¹H NMR] with unimodal molecular weight distributions (number‐average molecular weight = 8.30–36.3 × 10³ by gel permeation chromatography, weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight = 1.6–2.1) and with defined polymer chain ends (as a vinyl group, ? CH?CH₂) was achieved when Ru(CHPh)(Cl)₂(IMesH₂)(PCy₃) or Ru(CH‐2‐OⁱPr‐C₆H₄)(Cl)₂(IMesH₂) [IMesH₂ = 1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)‐2‐imidazolidinylidene] was employed as a catalyst at 50 °C. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6166–6177, 2005     

Chemical Research Faculties: An International Directory : Edited by G.L. Pollock. The American Chemical Society, Washington, 1984, xxxv + ca. 530 pages. US $129.95 (U.S.A. and Canada); US $155.95 (elsewhere). ISBN 0-8412-0817-4.

Heterobinuclear complexes of formula [LMCl₂(pz)M′(tfb)] (M = Ru, L = p-cymene, M′ = Rh; M = Ir, L = C₅Me₅, M′ = Rh; M = Rh, L = C₅Me₅, M′ = Ir) and [(C₅Me₅)IrCl(pz)₂Rh(tfb)] (tfb = tetrafluorobenzo[5.6]bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2,5,7-triene) have been prepared. The molecular structure of [(p-cymene)Ru(μ-Cl)2(μ-pz)Rh(tfb)] has been determined by X-ray diffraction. It consists of two moieties, (p-cymene)Ru and (tfb)Rh, triply-bridged by a pyrazolate group and two chlorine atoms.     

Isolation of Bis- and Mono-Cyclometallated Ru−IMes Complexes upon Reaction of [Ru(PPh3)3HCl], IMes and ZnMe2

Addition of an excess of ZnMe₂ to a mixture of [Ru(PPh₃)₃HCl] and IMes (IMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) yields the bis-cyclometallated complex, [Ru(IMes)“(PPh₃)₂] 2 , together with the mono-cyclometallated, Ru−Zn heterobimetallic complex [Ru(IMes)′(PPh₃)₂(ZnMe)] 3 . Treatment of 2 with H₂, PhSiH₃ or pinacolborane yields the previously reported complex, [Ru(IMes)′(PPh₃)₂H] 1 , the synthesis of which has been reinvestigated. Further studies of small molecule reactivity show that 1 adds H₂ to give [Ru(IMes)(PPh₃)₂H₄] 4 , whilst 2 reacts with catecholborane to give [Ru(IMes-Bcat)′(PPh₃)₂H] 5 , in which (IMes-Bcat)′ signifies a borylated NHC ligand that is singly-metallated onto Ru. Treatment of 2 with CO gives the 18-electron dicarbonyl product [Ru(IMes)”(PPh₃)(CO)₂] 6 . Compounds 1 – 3 , 5 and 6 have been structurally characterised.     

Tunable Anticancer Activity of Furoylthiourea-Based RuII–Arene Complexes and Their Mechanism of Action

Fourteen new Ru^II–arene (p-cymene/benzene) complexes ( C1 – C14 ) have been synthesized by varying the N-terminal substituent in the furoylthiourea ligand and satisfactorily characterized by using analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Electrostatic potential maps predicted that the electronic effect of the substituents was mostly localized, with some influence seen on the labile chloride ligands. The structure–activity relationships of the Ru–p-cymene and Ru–benzene complexes showed opposite trends. All the complexes were found to be highly toxic towards IMR-32 cancer cells, with C5 (Ru–p-cymene complex containing C₆H₂(CH₃)₃ as N-terminal substituent) and C13 (Ru–benzene complex containing C₆H₄(CF₃) as N-terminal substituent) showing the highest activity among each set of complexes, and hence they were chosen for further study. These complexes showed different behavior in aqueous solutions, and were also found to catalytically oxidize glutathione. They also promoted cell death by apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, the complexes showed good binding ability with the receptors Pim-1 kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, commonly overexpressed in cancer cells.     

Arene ruthenium complexes of the thermally resistant ligand tri-2-pyridylamine

Summary The degradation-resistant ligand tri-2-pyridylamine (tripyam) (1) forms a variety of stable ruthenium complexes. Reaction of (1) with RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ yields the complex RuCl₂(PPh₃)(tripyam) (2) and, upon prolonged heating in pyridine, forms RuCl₂(py)(tripyam) (3). Complexes (2) and (3) display unusual thermal stability, resisting degradation at temperatures of 270 °C. Reaction of (2) with two equivalents of AgSbF₆ in water yields the solvento complex [Ru(PPh₃)(tripyam)(OH₂)₂] (SbF₆)₂ (2a). Reaction of (1) with RuCl₃·H₂O also yields the trichloro complex RuCl₃(tripyam) (4). The organometallic precursor [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ reacts with (1) and either two or four equivalents of AgSbF₆ to yield [RuCl(p-cymene)( ²-tripyam)]SbF₆ (5) and [Ru(p-cymene) ( ³-tripyam)](SbF₆)₂ (6), respectively. Each of these complexes has been characterized by spectroscopic techniques and, in the case of (5), by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Isocyanate‐ and Isothiocyanate‐Derived RuIV‐Based Alkylidenes: Synthesis,Structure, and Activity

The synthesis and characterization of a series of isocyanate‐ and isothiocyanate‐derived second generation Grubbs–Hoveyda‐type ruthenium–alkylidene complexes, that is, [Ru(N?C?O)₂(IMesH₂)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)] ( 1 ), [Ru(N?C?O)₂(1,3‐dimesityl‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐ylidene)(=CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)] ( 2 ), [Ru(N?C?S)₂(IMesH₂)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)] ( 3 ), and [Ru(N?C?S)₂(1,3‐dimesityl‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐ylidene)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)] ( 4 ), and their activity in various metathesis reactions are described. Compounds 1 – 4 were prepared by reaction of the parent complexes [RuCl₂(IMesH₂)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)C₆H₄)] ( 5 ) (IMesH₂=1,3‐bis‐(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene) and [RuCl₂(1,3‐dimesityl‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐ylidene)(?CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)] ( 6 ) with silver cyanate and thiocyanate, respectively. The X‐ray structure of 1 was determined, confirming the isocyanate‐type bonding of the ligand. The isothiocyanate‐type bonding in 3 and 4 was unambiguously confirmed by IR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The isocyanate‐derived complexes 1 and 2 were found to be excellent catalysts for the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cis‐cycloocta‐1,5‐diene (COD). Both 1 and 2 yielded poly(COD) with a trans‐content of about 80 %. First‐order kinetics with unprecedentedly high rate constants of polymerization (k_p=0.068 and 0.26 s^?1, respectively) were observed. Compounds 3 and 4 were also active initiators for the ROMP of COD, however, they generated poly(COD) with a cis‐content of 80 and 67 %, respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 also showed good catalytic activity in cross‐metathesis (CM) reactions. Finally, 1 – 4 were also found to be excellent catalysts for the regioselective cyclopolymerization of diethyl 2,2‐dipropargylmalonate (DEDPM), resulting in poly(DEDPM) almost entirely based on five‐membered repeat units, that is, cyclopent‐1‐ene‐1,2‐vinylenes.     

Synthesis of homopolymers and multiblock copolymers by the living ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of norbornenes containing acetyl‐protected carbohydrates with well‐defined ruthenium and molybdenum initiators

The ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornenes containing acetyl‐protected glucose [2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐glucos‐1‐O‐yl 5‐norbornene‐2‐carboxylate ( 1 )] and maltose [2,3,6,2′,3′,4′,6′‐hepta‐O‐acetyl‐maltos‐1‐O‐yl 5‐norbornene‐2‐carboxylate ( 2 )] was explored in the presence of Mo(N‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)(CHCMe₂Ph)(O^tBu)₂ ( A ), Ru(CHPh)(Cl)₂(PCy₃)₂ ( B ; Cy = cyclohexyl), and Ru(CHPh)(Cl)₂(IMesH₂)(PCy₃) ( C ; IMesH₂ = 1,3‐dimesityl‐4,5‐dihydromidazol‐2‐ylidene). The polymerizations promoted by B and A proceeded in a living fashion with exclusive initiation efficiency, and the resultant polymers possessed number‐average molecular weights that were very close to those calculated on the basis of the monomer/initiator molar ratios and narrow molecular weight distributions (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight < 1.18) in all cases. The observed catalytic activity of B was strongly dependent on both the initial monomer concentration and the solvent employed, whereas the polymerization initiated with A was completed efficiently even at low initial monomer concentrations. The polymerization with C also took place efficiently, and even the polymerization with 1000 equiv of 1 was completed within 2 h. First‐order relationships between the propagation rates and the monomer concentrations were observed for all the polymerization runs, and the estimated rate constants at 25 °C increased in the following order: A > C > B . On the basis of these results, we concluded that ROMP with A was more suitable than ROMP with B or C for the efficient and precise preparation of polymers containing carbohydrates. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4248–4265, 2004     

Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Aromatic and Heteroaromatic Aldehydes in Air

Aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes are efficiently reduced to their corresponding alcohols in the presence of [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ and KOAc in 2-propanol under air at 80 °C. The presence of KOAc in the reaction is essential; in its absence no reduction takes place. A highly efficient, external-base-free reduction of aldehydes has also been reported with (η⁶-arene)ruthenium(II) complexes containing O^O chelate ligand such as [Ru(OAc)₂(p-cymene)] and [RuCl(KA)(p-cymene)], obtaining alcohol in excellent yield (OAc, acetate; KA, kojic acetate). The scope of the reaction has been extended to a broad range of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes.     

Coordination chemistry of the [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] metalloligand with π-hydrocarbon derivatives of d ruthenium(II), osmium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III)

The reactivity of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards [RuCl₂(η⁶-arene)]₂ (arene=C₆H₆, C₆Me₆, p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ=p-cymene), [OsCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)]₂ and [MCl₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) have been probed using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. In all cases, dicationic products of the type [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄ML]²⁺ (L=π-hydrocarbon ligand) are observed, and a number of complexes have been prepared on the synthetic scale, isolated as their BPh₄⁻ or PF₆⁻ salts, and fully characterised. A single-crystal X-ray structure determination on the Ru p-cymene derivative confirms the presence of a pseudo-five-coordinate Ru centre. This resists addition of small donor ligands such as CO and pyridine. The reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with RuClCp(PPh₃)₂ (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅) gives [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄RuCp]⁺. In addition, the reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with the related carbonyl complex [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂, monitored by electrospray mass spectrometry, gives [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Ru(CO)₃Cl]⁺.     

Di‐μ‐benzoato‐bis­[di­carbonyl­(pyri­dine)­ruthenium(I)] (new polymorph) and di‐μ‐tri­fluoro­acetato‐bis­[di­carbonyl­(pyridine)­ruthenium(I)]

The syntheses and crystal structure determinations of a pair of `sawhorse' dimers are reported, viz. [Ru₂(C₆H₅CO₂)₂(C₅H₅N)₂(CO)₄] [a new polymorph, cf. Kepert, Deacon, Spiccia, Fallon, Skelton & White (2000). J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. pp. 2867–2874] and [Ru₂(CF₃CO₂)₂(C₅H₅N)₂(CO)₄]. The Ru⋯Ru distances are 2.6724 (2) and 2.7122 (5) Å, respectively.     

Acetalization and Transacetalization Reactions Catalyzed by Ruthenium,Rhodium, and Iridium Complexes with {2‐{{Bis[3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphino}methyl}‐2‐methylpropane‐ 1,3‐diyl}bis[bis[3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphine] (MeC[CH2P(m‐CF3C6H4)2]3)

The complexes [RhCl_(3−n)(MeCN)_n(CF₃triphos)](CF₃SO₃)_n (n=1, 2; CF₃triphos=MeC[CH₂P(m‐CF₃C₆H₄)₂]₃) and [M(MeCN)₃ (CF₃triphos)](CF₃SO₃)_n (M=Ru, n=2; M=Ir, n=3) are catalyst precursors for some typical acetalization and transacetalization reactions. The activity of these complexes is higher than those of the corresponding species containing the parent ligand MeC[CH₂P(C₆H₅)₂]₃(Htriphos). Also the complexes [MCl₃(tripod)] (tripod=Htriphos and CF₃triphos) are active catalysts for the above reactions. The complex [RhCl₂(MeCN)(CF₃triphos)](CF₃SO₃) catalyzes the acetalization of benzophenone.     

Neutral and Cationic Molybdenum Imido Alkylidene N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Reactivity in Selected Olefin Metathesis Reactions and Immobilization on Silica

The synthesis and single‐crystal X‐ray structures of the novel molybdenum imido alkylidene N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes [Mo(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)(IMesH₂)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OTf)₂] ( 3 ), [Mo(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)(IMes)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OTf)₂] ( 4 ), [Mo(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)(IMesH₂)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OTf){OCH(CF₃)₂}] ( 5 ), [Mo(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)(CH₃CN)(IMesH₂)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OTf)]⁺ BAr_F^? ( 6 ), [Mo(N‐2,6‐Cl₂C₆H₃)(IMesH₂)(CHCMe₃)(OTf)₂] ( 7 ) and [Mo(N‐2,6‐Cl₂C₆H₃)(IMes)(CHCMe₃)(OTf)₂] ( 8 ) are reported (IMesH₂=1,3‐dimesitylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene, IMes=1,3‐dimesitylimidazolin‐2‐ylidene, BAr_F^?=tetrakis‐[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] borate, OTf=CF₃SO₃^?). Also, silica‐immobilized versions I1 and I2 were prepared. Catalysts 3 – 8 , I1 and I2 were used in homo‐, cross‐, and ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactions and in the cyclopolymerization of α,ω‐diynes. In the RCM of α,ω‐dienes, in the homometathesis of 1‐alkenes, and in the ethenolysis of cyclooctene, turnover numbers (TONs) up to 100 000, 210 000 and 30 000, respectively, were achieved. With I1 and I2 , virtually Mo‐free products were obtained (<3 ppm Mo). With 1,6‐hepta‐ and 1,7‐octadiynes, catalysts 3 , 4 , and 5 allowed for the regioselective cyclopolymerization of 4,4‐bis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐1,6‐heptadiyne, 4,4‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐1,6‐heptadiyne, 4,4‐bis[(3,5‐diethoxybenzoyloxy)methyl]‐1,6‐heptadiyne, 4,4,5,5‐tetrakis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐1,7‐octadiyne, and 1,6‐heptadiyne‐4‐carboxylic acid, underlining the high functional‐group tolerance of these novel Group 6 metal alkylidenes.     

Amidinato and triazenido complexes of ruthenium(II): X-ray crystal structure of the N,N′-diphenylformamidine fragmentation product [RuCl(NH2Ph){PhNC(H)NPh}(Me2SO)2]

N,N′-Diphenylamidines, PhNC(R)NHPh (R=H, Me, Et, Ph), and 1,3-diaryltriazenes, ArNNNHAr (Ar=p-C₆H₄X, X=H, Cl, Me, OMe) react with ruthenium(II) complexes, [RuCl₂(C₇H₈)]_n, [RuCl₂(CO)₂]_n and [RuCl₂(Me₂SO)₄] in the presence of a base (NEt₃ or Na₂CO₃) to afford a selection of bis(chelate) products [Ru{PhNC(R)NPh}₂L₂] and [Ru(ArNNNAr)₂L₂] (L=CO, Me₂SO; L₂=C₇H₈). In contrast one particular combination — [RuCl₂(Me₂SO)₄]/PhNC(H)NHPh/NEt₃ — in refluxing dimethylformamide yields a novel amidine fragmentation product [RuCl(NH₂Ph){PhNC(H)NPh}(Me₂SO)₂] which has been characterised by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Imidazol(in)ium-2-Carboxylates as N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand Precursors for Ruthenium Metathesis Initiators

Summary: Imidazol(in)ium-2-carboxylates were used as N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursors to convert the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ dimer into three ruthenium-arene complexes of the [RuCl₂(p-cymene)(NHC)] type. The decarboxylation of NHC · CO₂ betaines also provided a convenient synthetic path to prepare five well-known ruthenium-NHC catalysts for olefin metathesis and related reactions, including the second generation Grubbs and Hoveyda–Grubbs catalysts, via ligand exchange with phosphine-containing, first generation ruthenium-benzylidene or indenylidene complexes. Both procedures are particularly attractive from a practical point of view, because NHC · CO₂ adducts are stable zwitterionic compounds that can be stored and handled with no particular precautions.     

Stepwise Degradation of Trifluoromethyl Platinum(II) Compounds

The action of moisture on the homoleptic organoplatinum(II) compound [NBu₄]₂[Pt(CF₃)₄] ( 1 ) gives rise to the carbonyl derivative [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₃(CO)] ( 2 ), which is itself moisture stable. However, treatment of compound 2 with HCl(aq) results in the formation of [NBu₄][cis‐Pt(CF₃)₂Cl(CO)] ( 3 ), which undergoes degradation of an additional CF₃ group by further treatment with HCl(aq) in large excess, affording [NBu₄][cis‐Pt(CF₃)Cl₂(CO)] ( 4 ). The carbonyl derivatives 2 – 4 are fairly stable species, in which the CO ligand, however, can be readily extruded by reaction with trimethylamine N‐oxide (ONMe₃). Thus, compound 2 reacts with ONMe₃ in the presence of a number of neutral or anionic ligands affording a series of singly or doubly charged derivatives with the general formulae [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₃(L)] [L=CNtBu ( 5 ), PPh₃ ( 6 ), P(o‐tolyl)₃ ( 7 ), tht ( 8 ; tht=tetrahydrothiophene)] and [NBu₄]₂[Pt(CF₃)₃X] [X=Cl ( 9 ), Br ( 10 ), I ( 11 )], respectively. Compound 2 also reacts with ONMe₃ and pyridin‐2‐thiol (C₅H₅NS) giving rise to the five‐membered metallacyclic derivative [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₂(CF₂NC₅H₄S‐κC,κS)] ( 12 ), which can be viewed as a difluorocarbene species stabilized by intramolecular base coordination. On the other hand, treatment of compound 3 with ONMe₃ in the presence of C₅H₅NS yields the four‐membered metallacyclic compound [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₂(NC₅H₄S‐κN,κS)] ( 13 ). The geometries of the metallacycles in compounds 12 and 13 are compared. In the absence of any additional ligand, compound 3 undergoes dimerization producing the dinuclear species [NBu₄]₂[{Pt(CF₃)₂}₂(μ‐Cl)₂] ( 14 ). Halide abstraction in the latter compound with AgClO₄ in THF yields the solvento compound cis‐[Pt(CF₃)₂(thf)₂] ( 15 ). The highly labile character of the THF ligands in compound 15 makes this species a convenient synthon of the “cis‐Pt(CF₃)₂” unit.     

Half-sandwich binuclear carbaborane compounds: Closo-carbaboranes as good σ-donar ligands

The synthesis of half-sandwich binuclear transition-metal complexes containing the Cab^C,C chelate ligands (Cab^C,C = C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (1)) is described. 1Li₂ was reacted with chloride-bridged dimers [Cp∗RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (Cp∗ = η⁵-C₅(CH₃)₅), [Cp′RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (Cp′ = η⁵-1,3-^tBu₂C₅H₃), [Cp∗IrCl(μ-Cl)]₂ and [(p-cymene)RuCl(μ-Cl)]₂ to give half-sandwich binuclear complexes [Cp∗Rh(μ-Cl)]₂(Cab^C,C) (2), [Cp′Rh(μ-Cl)]₂(Cab^C,C) [3),[Cp∗Ir(μ-Cl)]₂(Cab^C,C) (4) and [(p-cymene)Ru(μ-Cl)]₂(Cab^C,C) (5), respectively. Addition reactions of the ruthenium complex 5 with air gave [(p-cymene)₂Ru₂(μ-OH)(μ-Cl)](Cab^C,C) (6), rhodium complex 2 with LiSPh gave [Cp∗Rh(μ-SPh)]₂(Cab^C,C) (7). The complexes were characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In addition, X-ray structure analysis were performed on complexes 2-7 where the potential C,C-chelate ligand was found to coordinate in a bidentate mode as a bridge.     

Preparation and reactivity of p-cymene complexes of ruthenium and osmium incorporating 1,3-triazenide ligands

p-Cymene complexes MCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)L [M = Ru, Os; L = P(OEt)₃, PPh(OEt)₂, (CH₃)₃CNC] were prepared by allowing [MCl(μ-Cl)(η⁶-p-cymene)]₂ to react with phosphites or tert-butyl isocyanide. Treatment of MCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)L complexes with 1,3-ArNNN(H)Ar triazene and an excess of NEt₃ gave the cationic triazenide derivatives [M(η²-1,3-ArNNNAr)(η⁶-p-cymene)L]BPh₄ (Ar = Ph, p-tolyl). Neutral triazenide complexes MCl(η²-1,3-ArNNNAr)(η⁶-p-cymene) (M = Ru, Os) were also prepared by allowing [MCl(μ-Cl)(η⁶-p-cymene)]₂ to react with 1,3-diaryltriazene in the presence of triethylamine. p-Cymene complexes MCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)L reacted with equimolar amounts of 1,3-ArNNN(H)Ar triazene to give both triazenide complexes [M(η²-1,3-ArNNNAr)(η⁶-p-cymene)L]BPh₄ and amine derivatives [MCl(ArNH₂)(η⁶-p-cymene)L]BPh₄. A reaction path for the formation of the amine complex is also reported. The complexes were characterised by spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography of RuCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)[PPh(OEt)₂] and [Ru(η²-1,3-p-tolyl-NNN-p-tolyl)(η⁶-p-cymene){CNC(CH₃)₃}]BPh₄. Selected triazenide complexes were studied as catalysts in the hydrogenation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one and cinnamaldehyde.